BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES. 
199 
Plate XXXIV. 
KALLUS YIPvGINIANUS, Linn. 
Virginia Rail. 
Or its delightful winter quarters in the South, and the tropical climes 
of Guatemala and Cuba with their strange and varied forms of life, this 
handsome little species takes its adieu when the climate in our northern 
States warrants such a jirocedure, and spreads itself across the continent 
to and slightly beyond our northernmost borders. With the first slight 
frosts of November it takes its departure, to renew our acquaintance again 
when the delicate-footed May has returned to beautify the earth. These 
autumnal migrations are often performed during calm, clear nights, when 
their cries can be distinctly heard overhead. Persons, while “ bobbing ” 
for eels at night, have often been startled from their contemj)lations by 
the alighting of Rails in the water close-by, and the din produced as tliey 
paddle their way into the adjoining weeds. Their departure is seemingly 
more sudden than their advent, their appearance in diverse latitudes haji- 
pening at regular intervals. From their feebleness of wing, it might be 
conjectured that flight is slow and labored, but experience teaches that it 
is accomplished with comparative ease and freedom, even in the face of a 
very strong wind. But these birds are best seen in the exercise of their 
cursorial powers, which the perfect development of their legs and feet, and 
the compressed, attenuated shape of the body are admirably adapted to 
promote. Even the bill, with its sharpened outline, which is wisely formed 
to cut the opposing air, lends its aid in facilitating advancement. 
Along the borders of salt marshes, but generally in fresh-water, 
it may he found upon its arrival. In such places it is a busy gleaner, 
